#strength

Revisit Mike’s journey to HSCT and be inspired by his humble fortitude (S7 replay)

December 14, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Mike 
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT scheduled for January 2022
Superpower: fortitude

How do you share your diagnosis with others? How familiar are your loved ones with the demons you battle? How do you reconcile your experience with disease?

Having received a diagnosis at the young age of 22 after a bout of optic neuritis, Mike experienced reversal of his symptoms after a round of steroids and figured the disease would be manageable. Fast forward ten years and suddenly Mike realized the disease had actually been simmering just beneath the surface and after a severe hurricane, began more noticeably interrupting his daily functioning. 

After trying a couple of different disease modifying therapies, Mike was introduced to the idea of HSCT in social media advertisements for the Selma Blair documentary, and began exploring it as an option just two months ago. Tune in to learn more about the various ways that Mike has felt supported along his journey despite the questions and concerns that any HSCT Hopeful has also considered. 

Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.org where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.  Be kind.  Be well.

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Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Meet Heidi and learn how she took back control of her disease and pursued HSCT (Ep. 75)

November 17, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Heidi
AI: Relapsing Remitting MS
HSCT: July, 2019
Superpower: strength

Do you take the time to celebrate in life? How often do you recognize the little victories?

Although Heidi was diagnosed relatively soon after her first experiences with early symptoms of multiple sclerosis, the doctor she saw focused more on prescribing medications to treat symptoms she was experiencing and it seemed her MS diagnosis was set aside. After seeking other care that led to identifying additional health issues, she soon realized the tally of prescriptions totaled thirty different medications, including some that should not be taken together.

Tune in to learn more about how Heidi regained control of her health care and pursued HSCT in Monterrey, spent six months taking cautions to work through neutropenia, only to return to quarantine due to covid. Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.org where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers. Be kind. Be well.

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Be inspired by Chloe to increase awareness, and stay active and sane despite COVID (Ep. 61)

February 24, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Chloe Zallen
AI: Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis
HSCT: Oct/Nov 2020
Superpowers: self-love

Are you able to recognize your limitations? Are you aware of your stressors? Where do you find courage to be confident in your decisions?

As a traveling cardiac specialist with experience at several hospitals, Chloe found herself in an extremely stressful environment with a lot of fear incited by the uncertainties of her MS. When she suddenly had numbness along the entire right side of her body, she began googling her symptoms and weighing the possibilities while awaiting the results of an MRI. Though she received a diagnosis soon thereafter, nearly every neurologist she consulted encouraged the same disease-modifying therapy and after researching the side effects, Chloe opted instead to adopt special diets and a natural path to managing her symptoms. 

Tune in and learn more about how Chloe found complete relief from her symptoms while away in New Zealand, find motivation to be your own advocate, and how she found her way to HSCT despite doctors’ and friends’ concerns that she would die. Hear more about her experience in Monterrey and how she was able to stay active and sane despite the global pandemic.

Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.com where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find your podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.  Be kind.  Be well.

_________________________________

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Resources:
Clinica Ruiz: https://hsctmexico.com
HSCT Warriors, Inc.: https://HSCTWarriors.org

Meet Ovi on her way to Puebla and learn what it means to be strong-strong (Ep. 59)

February 10, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Ovi James
AI: Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: February 2021
Superpower: Strength, Bravery, Grit, Courage

When faced with adversity, are you able to advocate for yourself? Are you someone who can find gratitude often? What gifts can you share with the world?

After years of terrible headaches and issues with standing and walking, Ovi ended up losing her job and her home which caused significant relapses that rendered her disabled. As a single mother, Ovi’s goal was to focus on the positive and help her son “see the light at the end of the tunnel” even though she struggled to understand everything that was going on as her family chose not to support her. With the support of various shelters and physical, occupational, and mental health therapies, Ovi was able to focus on healing and learning how to better advocate for herself. She eventually found a rheumatologist who was able to see she was struggling with more than fibromyalgia and scheduled the MRI that led to her multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Although this interview occurred the weekend that Ovi was preparing to head to Clinica Ruiz in Mexico, it is airing while she is currently undergoing treatment and could use continued support from our HSCT community. Tune in and learn more about Ovi’s journey and how she found strength in being properly diagnosed, and keep such a positive outlook on life and how she turned inward to focus on her gifts in order to actualize the possibilities of pursuing HSCT.

Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.com where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find your podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers. Be kind. Be well.

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Resources:
Social media YouTube: @ovijames and Instagram: @itsovijames
Clinica Ruiz: https://hsctmexico.com
HSCT Warriors: https://HSCTWarriors.org